Check Out our Latest Podcast!
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The Ink Horse Publishing Team
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I was honored to be invited on the Athletic Equestrian podcast with my Ink Horse Publishing partner, Michelle Bloch, to discuss our path to book publishing with host Sally Batton. Sally, a successful author, coach and horsewoman herself, asked us thoughtful and interesting questions about writing, books and how our careers, centered around horses, turned out to be so meaningful.
Ordinarily, Sally's podcasts focus on riding in college, but she's opened the door lately to people like us who have made a career in the horse world without becoming professional riders or trainers. Michelle and I shared our journeys in the horse industry as we navigated the writing, public relations, magazine, photography, graphic and website design, and, now, book publishing worlds.
As we discovered early on, finding your niche in the horse world and then creating a career where you're paid to do what you love is a fantastic way to spend your life. We both wake up every morning looking forward to another creative and fun day working with horses and the people who love them. And we never stop learning, researching and seeking new knowledge, so it's really like college goes on forever!
Michelle is currently working on a book series with Beezie and John Madden, which Ink Horse will publish in 2024, and I'm putting the finishing touches on several books that branched off from our book Judging WTF as well as a unique museum project.
If you want to hear about the evolution of our lives in printing and publishing, laugh about carrying discs to Kinkos at 1 a.m. before you could send files digitally (yes, we are THAT old), hear how to reinvent yourself regularly and love it, and learn more judging tips (that comes at the end), check out the podcast. And let us know what you think. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we did talking!
Until next time!
Tricia
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Question from Joy Collins: What is the best way to judge a large flat class of 15, 25 or 40 competitors? Do you try and keep track and/or make a note for every competitor or do you just work to pick out the top eight with a reserve or two and not worry about the rest?
Answer from Julie Winkel: USEF Rule HU129 for under saddle classes specifies that "Judges must work competitors in groups of 20 or fewer or they must work a larger group in one direction, line up their selected competitors before working those remaining on the rail in the second direction, excusing the unselected competitors, and judging the selected competitors in the second direction."
Depending on the preference of the judge and the show management, you can also call all the horses into the ring and divide them in half (or thirds if the class is more than 40), sending one half out of the ring and judging the first group. Then, you can call your top six or eight from the first group into the center of the ring and excuse the remaining horses. Then, you judge the second half, pick out your favorites and excuse the rest. Then, you can judge your top eight to 10 or 12 and compare them against one another to pick the ribbon winners. You can work them both ways of the ring again, but I usually have them walk, trot and canter to the right only.
If I have 15 competitors or fewer, I don't usually split them. But if it looks like a safety issue, such as a Short or Long Stirrup class in a small ring, I will make safety the priority and judge them in groups. If I have a large class of greener horses or riders, I might have everyone walk and trot to the left, reverse and show at the walk and trot to the right. Then, I'll call them all in the center and divide the group to show the canter. Then, I'll pin the class. This way it saves some time and is also safer than cantering them all together.
Because the under saddle classes go quickly, we don't have time to write down notes about all of the competitors, nor do we want to take our eyes off what's going on in the ring. I do make mental notes as each one goes by and keep A, B and C columns on my card and write their numbers in the appropriate column as I'm judging. I do watch (and worry) about all the competitors in the class to try and make sure I see them all to place them properly on my card.
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Do you have any judging questions? Hit the button and let us know!
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Are you interested in hosting Tricia or Julie for a Judging Clinic at your farm or for your association or organization? We offer customized judging clinics in the classroom and in conjunction with riding clinics and horse shows. Please contact us for more information. (info@judgingwtf.com)
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Join Julie and Tricia for the Second Annual Judging Hunters & Equitation WTF Workshop September 16-17 at Julie's Maplewood Stables in Reno, Nevada. The workshop is an exciting clinic based on our book and taught by us. Our goal is to take out MORE of the mystery of judging Hunters and Equitation while helping you to become a MORE knowledgeable competitor, owner, trainer or judge.
This is a unique clinic that's offered no where else. In addition to teaching you how to set up a judge's card, the symbols we use, scoring, common faults and the bookkeeping process, we'll put your new-found skills into practical use with a mock horse show. There, you'll experience first-hand the judging process in real time and see how judges do what they do in the booth. If you're a competitor, you'll better understand how to make the most of your time in the show ring to impress the judges, and if you dream of becoming a judge, you'll have established valuable skills to help you on that path or fine-tune your current processes.
Click on the button below for more information and to register! Spaces are filling up quickly!
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This newsletter is based on the book Judging Hunters and Equitation WTF? (Want The Facts?) by Julie Winkel and Tricia Booker.
We're thrilled to have you join us as we spend time together talking about judging, the history of the sport, scoring, tips to improve your show ring performances, judges' pet peeves, and show ring strategies, and best of all answering your questions! Something on your mind? Email us: info@judgingwtf.com
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